Dissemination Efforts Research Articles

Preventative Care in First Responder Mental Health: Focusing on Access and Utilization via Stepped Telehealth Care.

First responders are at high risk for disorders that arise from repeat exposure to stress and trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and problematic alcohol use). Although mental health treatments are available, first responders often do not access them, anchored by barriers that include: lack of knowledge, stigma, negative experience with mental health providers, and time-based burdens. In this study, we designed an intervention to address these barriers, extending a Planned-Action framework. Step 1 involved self-report screening for four mental health risks (PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use risk), delivered to all personnel electronically, who were free to either consent and participate or opt-out. The detection of risk(s) in Step 1 led to scheduling a Step 2 telehealth appointment with a trained clinician. We report descriptive statistics for participation/attrition/utilization in Steps 1 and 2, rates of risk on four mental health variables, and rate of adherence to follow-up treatment recommendations. Step 1: In total, 53.3% of personnel [229 of 429 full-time employees (221 males; eight females; 95% White; 48% paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician; 25% captain; 19% engineer; 7% other)] initially opted-in by consenting and completing the brief remote screening survey. Among those who opted-in and completed (n = 229), 43% screened positive for one or more of the following mental health risks: PTSD (7.9%); depression (9.6%); anxiety (13.5%); alcohol use (36.7%). Step 2: A maximum of three attempts were made to schedule "at risk" individuals into Step 2 (n = 99). Among the 99 who demonstrated a need for mental health treatment (by screening positive for one or more risk), 56 (56.6%) engaged in the telehealth appointment. Of the 56 who participated in Step 2 clinical appointments, 38 were recommended for further intervention (16.6% of full-time personnel who participated). Among the 38 firefighters who were recommended to seek further mental health services, 29 were adherent/followed through (76.3% of those who received recommendations for further services). Taken together, evidence-based, culturally conscious, stepped care models delivered via the virtual/telehealth medium can promote access, utilization, and cost-effective mental health services for first responders. Implications are for informing larger, more rigorous dissemination and implementation efforts.

Dissemination of a successful dementia care program: Lessons to facilitate spread of innovations.

Despite the effectiveness of innovations to improve the care of persons with dementia, there has been limited diffusion of these into widespread clinical practice. We aimed to identify common barriers and address them directly in the initial phase of dissemination of a successful dementia care program. Description of and early experience with a dissemination strategy of the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program to health care systems nationwide. We measured site-identified goals for the program and indicators of success, number of adopting sites, and participants in their programs. From January 2019 to December 2021, 80 sites expressed interest in adopting the program, 14 (18%) sites adopted it, and 10 of these sites have begun caring for patients. Another 4 sites have implemented the program as part of a randomized clinical trial. To date, over 1690 persons living with dementia and their caregivers have received Alzheimer's and Dementia Care (ADC) care at 14 adopting sites. Key lessons from the early dissemination efforts include the importance of identifying a strong product champion at the adopting site, creating a business case for adoption, training of clinical staff and adapting the model to fit local cultures and workflow, as well as recognizing the likely long length of time needed for the decision to adopt and implementation process. Despite many obstacles to dissemination, with local champions and technical assistance, successful innovations in dementia care can be implemented in diverse health systems. The ability to adopt sites to bring the program to full scale and achieve comparable outcomes to the original program remains to be determined.

Awareness and knowledge of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act among people at risk of witnessing an overdose in British Columbia, Canada: a multi-methods cross sectional study

IntroductionBystanders to drug overdoses often avoid or delay calling 9–1-1 and cite fear of police involvement as a main reason. In 2017, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA) was enacted by the Canadian government to provide people present at an overdose with legal protection from charges for simple drug possession, and conditions stemming from simple possession. Few studies have taken a multi-methods approach to evaluating the GSDOA. We used quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to explore awareness, understanding, and perceptions of the GSDOA in people at risk of witnessing an overdose.MethodsQuantitative cross-sectional surveys and qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with adults and youth at risk of witnessing an overdose across British Columbia. Cross-sectional survey participants were recruited at 19 Take Home Naloxone sites and online through Foundry. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed hierarchically to determine factors associated with GSDOA awareness. Telephone interview participants were recruited by research assistants with lived/living experience of substance use. Deductive and inductive thematic analyses were conducted to identify major themes.ResultsOverall, 52.7% (n = 296) of the quantitative study sample (N = 453) reported being aware of the GSDOA. In multivariable analysis, cellphone possession (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36, 3.54) and having recently witnessed an opioid overdose (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.45, 3.80) were positively associated with GSDOA awareness. Young adults (25 – 34 years) were more likely to be aware of the Act (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.11, 3.98) compared to youth (16–24 years). Qualitative interviews (N = 42) revealed that many overestimated the protections offered by the GSDOA. To increase awareness and knowledge of the Act among youth, participants recommended adding the GSDOA to school curricula and using social media. Word of mouth was suggested to reach adults.ConclusionBoth awareness and knowledge of the GSDOA remain low in BC, with many overestimating the protections the Act offers. Dissemination efforts should be led by people with lived/living experience and should target those with limited awareness and understanding of the Act as misunderstandings can erode trust in law enforcement and harm reduction policy.

Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Novel, Low-Threshold HIV PrEP Program for People Who Inject Drugs Experiencing Homelessness

BackgroundHIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs (PWID) and experience homelessness are increasing across the USA. Despite high levels of need, multilevel barriers to accessing antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention persist for this population. The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) initiated a low-threshold, outreach-based program to support engagement in PrEP services among PWID experiencing homelessness.MethodsTo inform dissemination efforts, we explored patient and provider perspectives on key program components. From March to December 2020, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with current and former BHCHP PrEP program participants and prescribers, patient navigators, and outreach workers (i.e., providers). Thematic analysis explored perspectives on key program components.ResultsParticipants (n = 21) and providers (n = 11) identified the following five key components of BHCHP’s PrEP program that they perceived to be particularly helpful for supporting patient engagement in PrEP services: (1) community-driven PrEP education; (2) low-threshold, accessible programming including same-day PrEP prescribing; (3) tailored prescribing supports (e.g., on-site pharmacy, short-term prescriptions, medication storage); (4) intensive outreach and navigation; and (5) trusting, respectful patient-provider relationships.DiscussionFindings suggest that more patient-centered services formed the basis of BHCHP’s innovative, successful PrEP program. While contextual challenges including competing public health emergencies and homeless encampment “sweeps” necessitate ongoing programmatic adaptations, lessons from BHCHP’s PrEP program can inform PrEP delivery in a range of community-based settings serving this population, including syringe service programs and shelters.

Dissemination and implementation strategies for physical activity guidelines among adults with disability, chronic conditions, and pregnancy: a systematic scoping review

BackgroundPhysical activity guidelines for adults with disability, chronic conditions, and pregnancy (i.e., specific populations) have been developed to provide guidance for engaging in physical activity. However, specific populations remain considerably less physically active compared to the general population, presenting a knowledge-practice gap.PurposeThe purpose of this systematic scoping review was to identify and evaluate strategies for disseminating and implementing physical activity guidelines among specific populations and/or stakeholders (e.g., healthcare professionals) in Canada.MethodsFive search approaches (peer-reviewed literature databases, grey literature database, custom Google search engines, targeted web-based searches, and content expert consultation) identified records documenting and/or evaluating strategies that had been used to disseminate or implement guidelines from a predetermined list. Systematic and scoping review protocols were followed. Risk of bias assessments were conducted for all studies that evaluated strategies.ResultsEighty-one records reported dissemination strategies (n = 42), implementation strategies (n = 28), or both (n = 11). Twenty-two studies reporting on 29 evaluated strategies were deemed “serious” or “high” risk of bias. Common guideline dissemination and implementation strategies are deliberated and recommendations for future practice are made.ConclusionsFindings may inform future dissemination and implementation efforts for physical activity guidelines in Canada or similar countries.

Public attitudes in the clinical application of genome editing on human embryos in Japan: a cross-sectional survey across multiple stakeholders.

Recent advances in genome editing technology are accompanied by increasing public expectations on its potential clinical application, but there are still scientific, ethical, and social considerations that require resolution. In Japan, discussions pertaining to the clinical use of genome editing in human embryos are underway. However, understanding of the public's sentiment and attitude towards this technology is limited which is important to help guide the debate for prioritizing policies and regulatory necessities. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study and administered an online questionnaire across three stakeholder groups: the general public, patients and their families, and health care providers. We received responses from a total of 3,511 individuals, and the attitudes were summarized and compared among the stakeholders. Based on the distribution of responses, health care providers tended to be cautious and reluctant about the clinical use of genome editing, while patients and families appeared supportive and positive. The majority of the participants were against the use of genome editing for enhancement purposes. Participants expressed the view that clinical use may be acceptable when genome editing is the fundamental treatment, the risks are negligible, and the safety of the technology is demonstrated in human embryos. Our findings suggest differences in attitudes toward the clinical use of genome editing across stakeholder groups. Taking into account the diversity of the public's awareness and incorporating the opinion of the population is important. Further information dissemination and educational efforts are needed to support the formation of the public's opinion.

Adoption of improved soybean and gender differential productivity and revenue impacts: Evidence from Nigeria.

Despite the considerable soybean varietal improvement and dissemination efforts in Nigeria and other parts of Sub‐Saharan Africa, empirical evidence on farm‐level yield and revenue impacts of improved soybean varieties (ISVs) from a gender perspective are limited. In this paper, we analyze the impact of the adoption of ISVs on soybean yield and net revenue, and the associated gender differential effects in northern Nigeria. We use the endogenous and exogenous switching treatment effects regression frameworks to estimate the impacts. We find that the adoption of ISVs significantly increased soybean yield and net revenue of the soybean‐producing households by 26% and 32%, respectively. In addition, we find that the gender gap in yield between male and female‐headed soybean‐producing households was small, with a yield gap of about 1%. However, we find a substantial gender gap in soybean net revenue, as the net revenue of female‐headed households was lower by about 20%, as compared to male‐headed households. Overall, our findings show that policymakers and their development partners can leverage varietal improvement to boost the yields of both male‐ and female‐headed households. However, closing the gender gap in crop income necessitates reducing the disparity in market linkages so that the female farmers can equally have better market access.

Presenting a New Framework to Improve Engagement in Physical Activity Programs for Children and Adolescents With Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Disabilities.

Children and adolescents with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, autism, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face enormous health disparities, and the prevalence of these disorders is increasing. Social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities (SEBD) often co-occur with each other and are associated with unique barriers to engaging in free-living physical activity (PA), community-based exercise and sports programming, and school-based physical education. Some examples of these barriers include the significantly depleted parental reserve capacity associated with SEBD in children, child dysregulation, and previous negative experiences with PA programming and/or exclusion. Importantly, most SEBD are “invisible,” so these parents and children may face more stigma, have less support, and fewer inclusive programming opportunities than are typically available for children with physical or intellectual disabilities. Children’s challenging behavioral characteristics are not visibly attributable to a medical or physical condition, and thus are not often viewed empathetically, and cannot easily be managed in the context of programming. Existing research into PA engagement barriers and facilitators shows significant gaps in existing health behavior change (HBC) theories and implementation frameworks that result in a failure to address unique needs of youth with SEBD and their parents. Addressing these gaps necessitates the creation of a simple but comprehensive framework that can better guide the development and implementation of engaging, effective, and scalable PA programming for these youth and their families. Therefore, the aim of this article is to: (1) summarize existing research into SEBD-related child and parent-level barriers and facilitators of PA evidence-based program engagement; (2) review the application of the most commonly used HBC and disability health theories used in the development of evidence-based PA programs, and implementation science frameworks used in adaptation and dissemination efforts; (3) review the SEBD-related gaps that may negatively affect engagement; and (4) describe the new Pediatric Physical Activity Engagement for Invisible Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Disabilities (PAID) Framework, a comprehensive adapted PA intervention development and implementation adaptation framework that we created specifically for youth with SEBD and their parents.

The respecting the circle of life teen pregnancy prevention intervention: Its impact among different subgroups of Native American youth

PurposeThis study reports the differential impact of an evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program among subgroups of participating Native American youth. MethodsThis randomized controlled trial included N = 534 Native Americans ages 11–19. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 (intervention: 266; control: 268) to the Respecting the Circle of Life intervention (RCL) versus a control condition. Logistic and linear regression was used to examine intervention impact at 9- and 12- months post-intervention among the subgroups of males, females, younger (11–14 years) and older (15–19 years) youth. ResultsGirls and boys in the intervention group (RCL) had improved condom self-efficacy (Adjusted mean difference (AMD) and 95% CI girls: 0.56 (0.34–0.79); boys: 0.55 (0.32–0.77); both p < 0.0001) and contraceptive use self-efficacy at 9 months (AMD (95% CI) girls: 0.40 (0.16–0.63); boys: 0.40 (0.17–0.63); girls p = 0.001, boys p = 0.0009) compared to those in the control group. Study group differences were sustained for girls at 12 months but not for boys (condom use self-efficacy AMD (95% CI) girls: 0.54 (0.34–0.75); contraceptive use self-efficacy girls: 0.47 (0.24–0.70); both p < 0.0001). Boys in the RCL group had higher 12-month sexual/reproductive health knowledge (AMD (95% CI) boys: 2.15 (0.45–3.85); p = 0.01) compared to those in the control group, but girls did not. Girls in the RCL group had increased intention to use a condom at 12 months (OR (95 %CI): 1.69 (1.00–2.86); p = 0.05) compared to those in the control group, whereas boys in the RCL group had decreased intention to have sex in the next year at 9 months (OR (95% CI): 0.39 (0.21–0.73); p = 0.003) compared to boys in the control group. RCL Participants ages 11–14 had improved sexual/reproductive health knowledge at 12 months (AMD (95% CI): 1.96 (0.79–3.13); p = 0.001) compared to control participants of the same age. They also had improved condom and contraceptive use self-efficacy at 9 months (condom use self-efficacy AMD (95% CI): 0.65 (0.46–0.83); contraceptive use self-efficacy: 0.47 (0.28–0.65); both p < 0.0001) and 12-months (AMD (95% CI): 0.43 (0.25–0.61); 0.35 (0.16–0.54); p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively) compared to control participants of the same age. There were no statistically significant impacts among participants ages 15–19. ConclusionThis is one of the first analyses of the differential impact of an evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program conducted among subgroups of Native youth. Results guide dissemination and future research efforts, including that RCL is particularly effective among youth who are under the age of 15 at the time of participation, and that additional tailoring will optimize this program for older adolescents.

A Critique of Colonialism and Modern Aid in Africa: What Would Skinner Say?

In Skinner’s chapter titled The Ethics of Helping People, he stated, “By giving too much help, we postpone the acquisition of effective behavior and perpetuate the need for help” (Skinner, 1996, p. 63). Through years of living cross-culturally in various African countries, the first author has seen this demonstrated not only in organizations but also as part of the very fabric of society. The detrimental effects of helping, as described by Skinner, are especially evident in African countries that were formerly colonized and continue through the delivery of modern aid by western nations. Robust reinforcement contingencies surround the helper and the helped, which creates and maintains a reciprocal dominating/dependent relationship that has stifled growth in the past and continues to do so in the present. Considering that behavior analysis was born in the western world, any dissemination efforts to formerly colonized African countries will perpetuate the power dynamic conceived from colonial “helping” practices. In this paper, suggestions will be outlined for behavior analysts interested in international dissemination, specifically looking at the role of participatory community development in alleviating colonial relations between these regions.

Improving patient and clinician safety during COVID-19 through rapidly adaptive simulation and a randomised controlled trial: a study protocol

IntroductionCOVID-19 required healthcare systems to iteratively adapt for safe and up-to-date care as knowledge of the disease rapidly evolved. Rates of COVID-19 infections continue to fluctuate and patients without COVID-19...

A Latent Profile Analysis of COVID-19 Trusted Sources of Information among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in South Florida

By the spring of 2021, most of the adult U.S. population became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, by the summer of 2021, the vaccination rate stagnated. Given the immense impact COVID-19 has had on society and individuals, and the surge of new variant strains of the virus, it remains urgent to better understand barriers to vaccination, including the impact of variations in trusted sources of COVID-19 information. The goal of the present study was to conduct a cross-sectional, community-engaged, and person-centered study of trusted sources of COVID-19 information using latent profile analysis (LPA). The aims were to (1) identify the number and nature of profiles of trusted sources of COVID-19 information, and (2) determine whether the trust profiles were predictive of COVID-19 vaccination attitudes and various demographic categories. Participants included mostly racial and ethnic minority individuals (82.4%) recruited by various community-based agencies in South Florida. The LPA evidenced an optimal 3-class solution characterized by low (n = 80)-, medium (n = 147)-, and high (n = 52)-trust profiles, with high trust statistically significantly predictive of vaccination willingness. The profiles identified could be important targets for public health dissemination efforts to reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake. The general level of trust in COVID-19 information sources was found to be an important factor in predicting COVID-19 vaccination willingness.

The Full Spectrum of Behavioral Activation in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

<h3>Introduction</h3> Mental health concerns are common in older adults, and include many symptoms that may not meet criteria for specific DSM-5 diagnoses but which nevertheless affect patients' overall functioning and quality of life. However, timely access to quality mental health care remains inadequate in many communities. Behavioral activation (BA) is a brief psychotherapeutic treatment modality that is gaining momentum as a readily deployable intervention for addressing mental health needs in older adults. Early in its development, BA was primarily conceptualized as a treatment for patients with depression. Since its inception, the intervention has found utility in a broad range of patient populations and conditions beyond what most clinicians and researchers originally imagined. BA has the advantage of being able to be implemented by a range of provider types—e.g., health educators, physicians, mental health providers, family caregivers and community volunteers. Although several reviews have summarized the literature on BA for depression in older adults, there has not been a comprehensive scoping review that has looked broadly at the full spectrum of BA in older adults (i.e., beyond its use for depression). Therefore, the primary objective of this scoping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the use of behavioral activation with older adults. This overview includes a categorization of the target conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety), specific populations studied (e.g., caregivers, ethnic minorities, veterans), context or setting (e.g., outpatient vs. inpatient), modality of BA use (i.e., stand-alone vs. incorporated into a larger treatment protocol), and type of individuals delivering the intervention. The aim of this full spectrum review is to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the work done to-date while also highlighting areas of growth for targeted dissemination and knowledge gaps for future study. <h3>Methods</h3> In order to conduct a comprehensive, scoping review of the literature on BA, we utilized both a wide date range as well as broad search criteria. We searched for manuscripts published from 1980 to 2020 in PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and EMBASE. All types of literature were eligible for inclusion (e.g., reviews, randomized clinical trials, case studies, book chapters). The search strategy consisted of selected keywords and combinations of keywords, which were selected to be inclusive of most scholarly work in the field (e.g., behavio(u)ral activation, older adult, geriatric, depression, anxiety). We did not exclude any specific diagnoses or conditions, as we sought to paint as comprehensive a picture as possible of the landscape related to BA. <h3>Results</h3> The database search strategy yielded 3953 articles; after removing duplicates, 1335 unique publications remained (see attached Figure, PRISMA diagram). Selection of publications for the final scoping review consists of two stages of screening. Initial inclusion criteria were: 1) title or abstract included specific and clear reference to behavioral activation; AND 2) clear focus of article or mean age of participants ≥ 50, OR unclear age of participants (leading to a need for additional screening). These initial inclusion criteria resulted in 640 records which were identified as either: 1) meeting inclusion criteria; OR 2) in need of additional screening in the second stage. Our team is currently conducting the second stage of screening for final inclusion, by retrieving identified manuscripts and reviewing the full text to determine age of participants. The final number, scope, and nature of records/publications included in the scoping review will be presented in the poster. <h3>Conclusions</h3> By casting a very wide net with our search strategy, we have uncovered a collection of articles whose breadth and depth were eye-opening—even to the seasoned BA provider. This broad spectrum of work to date with older adults, as well as their caregivers, underscores the transdiagnostic applicability of BA; targets of intervention or study included mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, PTSD, OCD, complicated bereavement, eating and sleep disorders), physical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, frailty) and psychosocial issues (e.g. loneliness, isolation, grief and loss, spiritual connectedness). This broad search revealed a diverse and surprisingly extensive range of life challenges addressed, in an array of contexts (e.g., in-home, community based, outpatient and inpatient settings), and with adaptations to render BA appropriate for a multitude of languages and cultures. It is hoped that this scoping review will not only identify areas in need of further study, but will thoroughly document the state of the field, giving a boost to dissemination efforts aimed at addressing the growing mental health needs of older adults. <h3>This research was funded by</h3> N/A. Chart: https://apps.aagponline.org/abstracts/uploads/2022/08n7lpw0gg4oebo.pdf

Key stakeholder perspectives on the use of research about supported employment for racially and ethnically diverse patients with mental illness in the United States.

To explore how stakeholders responded to research evidence regarding supported employment (e.g., vocational rehabilitation), and ways evidence could be incorporated into policy and action. Qualitative data were collected from three stakeholder groups-people with lived experience of mental health challenges, community health advocates, and state health policy makers. This study consisted of two sequential steps. First, three focus groups were conducted after presenting stakeholder groups (inclusive of 22 participants) with simulation data showing that improvement in employment status had a stronger impact on mental health than improvement in education or income for racially/ethnically diverse groups. Second, with guidance from focus group findings, researchers conducted additional in-depth interviews (n=19) to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges related to incorporating these findings into policy and practice. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted, audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. People with lived experience described the positive effect of employment in their own life while highlighting the need to increase workplace accommodations and social supports for those with mental health challenges. Across stakeholder groups, participants emphasized the need for linguistic and cultural competence to promote equity in delivery of supported employment programs. Stakeholders also underscored that centralizing existing resources and using evidence-based approaches are crucial for successful implementation. Implementing effective supported employment programs should focus on meeting the specific needs of target individuals, as many of those needs are not considered in current employment-related programming. Collecting information from diverse users of research demonstrates what other aspects of supported employment are required for the likelihood of successful uptake. Implementation and dissemination efforts need to fortify collaborations and knowledge transfer between stakeholders to optimize supported employment and mental health resources.

Opportunities to improve policy dissemination by tailoring communication materials to the research priorities of legislators

BackgroundCommunicating research to policymakers is a complex and difficult process. Ensuring that communication materials have information or design aspects that appeal to groups of policymakers with different priorities could be a substantive improvement over current dissemination approaches. To facilitate a more nuanced design of policy communication materials and message framing, we identified and characterized groups of state legislators based on how they prioritize different characteristics of research.MethodsWe used deidentified data collected in 2012 on 862 state legislators belonging to the US liberal-moderate-conservative ideological spectrum and from all 50 US states. Legislators were grouped using latent class analysis based on how they prioritized 12 different characteristics of research (e.g., research is unbiased, presents data on cost-effectiveness, policy options are feasible). We fit initial models using 1–6 group solutions and chose the final model based on identification, information criteria, and substantive interpretation.ResultsMost legislators placed a high priority on research that was understandable (61%), unbiased (61%), available at the time that decisions are made (58%), and brief and concise (55%). The best model identified four groups of state legislators. Pragmatic consumers (36%) prioritized research that was brief and concise, provided cost-effectiveness analyses, and was understandably written. Uninterested skeptics (30%) generally did not place a high priority on any of the research characteristics. Conversely, one-quarter of legislators (25%) belonged to the Highly Informed Supporters group that placed a high priority on most characteristics of research. Finally, Constituent-Oriented Decision Makers (9%) prioritized research that was relevant to their constituents, delivered by someone they knew or trusted, available at the time decisions were made, and dealt with an issue that they felt was a priority for state legislative action.ConclusionsTo maximize the impact of dissemination efforts, researchers should consider how to communicate with legislators who have distinct preferences, values, and priorities. The groups identified in this study could be used to develop communication materials that appeal to a wide range of legislators with distinct needs and preferences, potentially improving the uptake of research into the policymaking process. Future work should investigate how to engage skeptical legislators.

Exploring 10 years of dissemination of the F-words for Child Development: A multifaceted case study.

There is growing interest in exploring how to move research findings into practice. Since 2014, a team of families and researchers has been working to promote and study the dissemination of the "F-words for Child Development" (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future). This case study describes our dissemination strategies and uses the Diffusion of Innovation theory to understand the factors contributing to the uptake of the F-words-a function-promoting, strengths-based, and family-centred innovation in child health and development. Between November 2011 and November 2021, we collected data from multiple sources: our dissemination strategies, including affiliated documents/artefacts (e.g., videos and presentations) and evaluation data (e.g., surveys and Google/video analytics). We used a two-step analysis: (1) a chronological time series to describe the processes involved along with indicators of dissemination over time (e.g., increase knowledge and awareness); and (2) Diffusion of Innovation theory to explore the factors that contributed to the uptake of the F-words. Multifaceted dissemination strategies were essential to raise awareness and increase families' and service providers' knowledge of the F-words. These included three primary strategies: (i) development and distribution of educational materials; (ii) presentations at educational meetings; and (iii) educational outreach visits. Additional strategies, such as the use of mass media, collaboration with early adopters/champions, and the involvement of family members further supported dissemination efforts. Diffusion of Innovation factors (innovation characteristics, time, social systems, and communication channels) all contributed to the uptake of this innovation. Purposeful planned dissemination practice, to increase knowledge and awareness of an innovation, is an important step in the knowledge translation process. Over a period of 10 years, through the use of multiple dissemination strategies conducted in partnership with families and service providers, the F-words have spread globally. Diffusion of Innovation theory has served to help understand how and why the F-words are being shared and adopted around the world.

Uncharted Territory: Curriculum Mapping Multiple Majors Simultaneously

Curriculum mapping is the process of creating a visual representation of the teaching and assessment of learning outcomes in a degree, program or major. Best practice recommendations about curriculum mapping typically focus on mapping individual programs. Therefore, many recommendations, such as meeting individually with faculty as they map their course, may not be feasible for large-scale mapping projects. This paper describes the process of a large-scale curriculum mapping project designed to map the Bachelor of Science degree and 24 of its associated majors. The project involved the participation of faculty from three colleges within a research-intensive University to map over 400 courses. We describe the key questions and decisions involved in carrying out the mapping project, our data collection and analysis process, and our dissemination efforts to ensure that the mapping results were used to inform curricular change.

Are Australian Mental Health Services Ready for Therapeutic Virtual Reality? An Investigation of Knowledge, Attitudes, Implementation Barriers and Enablers.

Therapeutic virtual reality (VR) has the potential to address the challenges of equitable delivery of evidence-based psychological treatment. However, little is known about therapeutic VR regarding the perspectives and needs of real-world service providers. This exploratory study aimed to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of therapeutic VR among clinicians, managers, and service staff working in mental healthcare and explore potential implementation barriers and enablers. Eighty-one staff from a network of private psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, Australia (aged M + SD: 41.88 + 12.01 years, 71.6% female; 64% clinical staff) completed an online survey, which included the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Appropriateness of Intervention Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). While 91% of participants had heard about VR technology, only 40% of participants had heard of therapeutic VR being used in mental healthcare, and none had used therapeutic VR in a clinical setting. Most participants perceived VR to be acceptable (84%), appropriate (69%), and feasible (59%) to implement within their role or service and envisioned a range of possible applications. However, participants expressed concerns regarding safety, efficacy, and logistical challenges across clinical settings. Findings suggest a strong interest for therapeutic VR among Australian mental health providers working in the private system. However, dissemination efforts should focus on addressing identified barriers to ensure mental health providers are adequately informed and empowered to make implementation decisions.

Translating Research to Action: The Development of a Pediatric Palliative Cancer Care Advocacy Tool in Eurasia.

PURPOSEThe Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment study was conducted in 11 Eurasian countries to assess physician knowledge of and structural barriers to integration of palliative care into pediatric oncology. After publication, regional collaborators identified the need to disseminate country-specific study results locally and provide policy recommendations to inform stakeholders.METHODSThe Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment report was developed with Eurasian and St Jude pediatric palliative care and oncology experts to summarize study findings and deliver country-level data to local stakeholders. In parallel, an assessment was developed to explore how regional collaborators intend to use the report to improve local advocacy and dissemination of research findings. The country report and assessment were translated to English, Russian, and Mongolian.RESULTSCountry-specific two-page reports display study findings on pediatric palliative care education, access to pediatric palliative care services, and barriers to and timing of integration with cancer care, alongside clinical and policy recommendations. These reports were distributed to collaborators in 11 countries. Assessment results (N = 30) demonstrated that regional collaborators planned to distribute the report to institutional and government stakeholders, aiming to increase access to pediatric palliative care services (77%), establish a community-based palliative care network (70%), and increase opportunities for specialization (70%).CONCLUSIONWe describe the development of an evidence-based advocacy tool to inform local health and education policy in Eurasia. This summary report of study findings, translated to local languages and adapted to a broader audience, is currently used to advocate for greater access and quality of palliative care for children with cancer. This work may serve as the basis for future dissemination efforts of scientific research.

Identification of Children of Mentally Ill Patients and Provision of Support According to the Norwegian Health Legislation: A 11-Year Review.

Background:According to amended legislation implemented in Norway in 2010, personnel in healthcare services for adults are obligated to identify patients' minor children and to assess the family situation. Health personnel is also obligated to contribute to adequate support to families affected by parental mental illness or substance use disorders. The intention behind the amendment was to support and protect children of mentally ill parents, as they are at risk of developing problems of their own. The aim of the present study was to evaluate health personnel's practice during the years 2010-2020, more specifically; (a) to what extent children of patients with mental illness and substance use disorders are registered in patient records, and (b) to what extent activities relating to the assessment and support of patients' minor children are documented in patient records.Method:The participants in the study are patients admitted to Division for Mental Health and Substance Use at the University Hospital of North Norway in the years 2010–2020. The data was drawn from patient records during October 2021.Results:The registration of patients' minor children is considerably strengthened since the introduction of the new Norwegian Health Personnel Act in 2010, and estimates show that 56% of patients' minor children are identified. However, only 31% of cases where patients have identified minor children this result in health personnel performing activities to support the children.Discussion:Based on the rising proportion of identified minor children throughout the 10-year period, it seems evident that the dissemination efforts have contributed to the development of some new skills among health personnel. However, compared with the national estimation that 35% of mentally ill and substance abusing patients have minor children, a large proportion of children remains unidentified. After identification, there seem to still be a long way to go before minor children are systematically offered support. Different solutions to strengthen the implementation of new skills in clinical practice, to ensure the identification of minor children and provision of necessary support for them is discussed.